Game Theory for Kids
Game theory is the study of choices when your choice depends on what other people choose.
A “game” can be any situation where:
More than one person is involved
People make choices
The result depends on everyone’s choices
Sharing snacks 🍪
If both people share, both are happy. If one shares and the other doesn’t, it feels unfair.
Group projects 📚
If everyone helps, the project is great. If some people don’t help, they still get credit—and that can make others stop trying.
Sports strategy 🏀
If the other team expects one move, you can surprise them with a different move.
Sometimes the “best” choice for one person is not the best choice for everyone.
That’s why trust, fairness, teamwork, and rules matter.
Two players choose:
Cooperate (work together)
Defect (be selfish)
If both cooperate, both do well.
If one defects while the other cooperates, the defector wins big.
If both defect, both do worse than if they had cooperated.
Lesson: The “safe selfish choice” can cause everyone to lose.